A MAN refused free beer in an Isle of Wight store attempted to hit a shopkeeper and threatened to "tickle a customer's bum", a court was told - and he has now been sentenced. 

At an earlier hearing, Steven James Balchin, of New Road, Brading, admitted common assault against a shopkeeper (Victim A) and two counts of using threatening, abusive and insulting words and behaviour to cause harassment, alarm and distress, to two customers (Victims B and C), on the afternoon of August 23. 

He was back at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court to learn his fate last Friday.

Balchin went into Londis in St James's Street, Newport, and took beer to the till — but his payment card was rejected.

Drunken Balchin then repeatedly asked the assistant if he could have the beer for free.

When asked to leave, Balchin told a shopkeeper: "Touch me and I'm going to take you down," before he started shouting abuse and appearing aggressive, said Liz Miller, prosecuting.

When he got nowhere, he clenched his fists together and swung at Victim A, another member of staff, who dodged it.

The shopkeeper then stood between Balchin and Victim B, a customer with his toddler son.

When Balchin pointed at Victim B, "puffing his chest out and punching his palm with his other hand", the shopper and his young son left. 

Balchin then turned on another customer, Victim C, but the shopper told him to leave.

However, 34-year-old Balchin responded by saying: "I will tickle your bum."

Balchin, already serving a year's probation for assault, could not remember anything he was accused of, said his solicitor, Oscar Vincent.

"He does not challenge the facts and has expressed heartfelt embarrassment and shame over his behaviour and the comments made," Mr Vincent added. 

Balchin said he wished to apologise personally to the victims. His partner had already done so to some.

"Alcohol is at the heart of his offending behaviour, and he since sought help for his issues and stayed off it since," explained Mr Vincent.

Balchin was handed 18 months' probation, which included wearing an alcohol abstinence tag, fitted for 90 days.

He was also fined £120, with £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.